Why light touch causes itching – the answer scientists

A group of researchers from Harvard University and Soskovskogo Institute concluded: the feeling of itching when touched lightly meets a group of receptors and chemical compounds. In the spinal cord as part of the research work were found in individual cells that suppress itching. If them to remove, any contact with skin will lead to irritation, says Xinhua.

There are two types of itch: mechanical and chemical nature. Mechanical itching (tickling) acts as a warning system. Scientists conducted an experiment in which mice group of cells that produce neuropeptide Y (NPY).

As a result a light touch caused the animals pronounced skin reaction and severe itching. Scientists suggest that sensitive people lacking neuropeptide Y, which results in an increasing reaction to mechanical skin irritation.

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